Dental Assisting I

Introduces the basic concepts of the dental assistant’s role in preventative dentistry including dental terminology, infection control, basic microbiology, pharmacology, nutrition, oral and facial anatomy, tooth numbering, names of tooth surfaces, and dental charting and oral assessment. Also includes the use of dental instruments and the various procedures used by dentists, dental asepsis techniques, patient education, legal and ethical issues, the collection of clinical data, and patient psychology as it relates to anxiety and pain management.Prerequisites: This is a limited-entry program that requires completion of 15-18 credits of prerequisite/preparatory courses and formal acceptance prior to entry. Offered fall term.

Dental Assisting I Lab

Provides hands-on instruction for students to demonstrate their capabilities and understanding of the dental assistant’s role through clinical evaluation in a lab setting. Tasks practiced include use of dental terminology, dental tray set-up, recognition of instruments used by the dentist, basic chair-side procedures, assisting during restorative treatment, four-handed dentistry, chair-side charting using tooth numbering systems, and names of tooth surfaces. Students are introduced to the various day-to-day operations within a dental office including infection control, management of hazardous waste, sterilization techniques, theory and terminology, ultrasonic/autoclave operation, instrument and equipment sterilization/disinfection, treatment room disinfection, and dental asepsis techniques.Prerequisites: This is a limited-entry program that requires completion of 15-18 credits of prerequisite/preparatory courses and formal acceptance prior to entry. Offered fall term.

Dental Assisting II

Builds on material learned in Dental Assisting I, specifically reinforcing oral and facial anatomy, tooth numbering, names of tooth surfaces, dental charting and oral assessment. The course provides an in-depth view of specific, practical dental assisting skills in dental specialties. Topics covered in class will include the major dental specialties of oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, and orthodontics. Anatomical content covered will include the muscles, nerves, glands, and bones of the head and neck; the structures and tissues that make up the oral cavity; and the development, tissues, morphology, and functions of the teeth.Prerequisites: DA101, DA101A/B and DA202. Offered winter term.

Dental Assisting II Lab

Builds on material learned in DA101A, DA103 and DA202. Students will repeat certain hands-on skills with an expectation of greater proficiency. Students demonstrate their capabilities and understanding of the dental assistant’s role through clinical evaluation in a lab setting. Students will learn how to perform soft-tissue examinations, take dental impressions, and collect vital statistics. Students will be introduced to dental instruments used in specialty offices.Prerequisites: DA101, DA101A/B, and DA202. Offered winter term.

Legal and Ethical Issues in Dentistry

Exposes students to a variety of legal and ethical dilemmas, helping them become more prudent and confident dental professionals. Classroom content includes the legal system, the legal rights that define relationships between individuals, quality assurance, office protocols and patient records, and legal issues that affect employment.Prerequisites: DA102, DA102A/B, DA104, DA150, and DA201 or departmental approval. Offered spring term.

Introduction to Practicum and Seminar

Provides an extensive overview of office responsibilities and work ethics, and prepares students for the challenges of their multiple roles in the dental office. These include guest, intern, student worker, administrative assistant, chair-side assistant, and housekeeping worker. Students will review and discuss the expectations and protocols for their upcoming practicum classes.Prerequisites: DA101, DA101A/B and DA202.Corequisites: DA102, DA102A or DA102B, DA104, and DA201 or departmental approval. Offered winter term.

Practicum and Seminar in Dental Assisting I/II

Students work an average of 13 hours per week in a host site (135 hours per term) as part of the dental team. Duties will be assigned according to the student’s skill level and the work needs of the host site. Students experience first-hand the various operations within a dental office primarily as chair-side dental assistants, but practicum experience may include receptionist duties and bookkeeping. Students will expand their skill sets during the sequence: entry-level and some mid-level duties are appropriate for students enrolled in DA152; mid-level and advanced duties, which may include exposing and processing radiographs, taking alginate impressions and pouring stone models, assisting during surgical procedures, and lab preparation for the expanded function class, are appropriate for students enrolled in DA153. Moderated by an instructor, seminars are designed to define expectations, discuss progress, and evaluate current future practicum experiences.Prerequisites to DA153: Successful completion of all courses in the first three terms of the cohort.Corequisites: DA204 and DA204A. DA152 offered spring term. DA153 offered summer term.

Dental Radiology

Prepares students for the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) Exam. One of two exams required for a certificate in radiologic proficiency from the state of Oregon, it is required to legally expose radiographs. Prepares students for these sections: radiation safety for the patient, radiation safety for the operator, exposing and evaluating radiographs, processing films, mounting and labeling radiographs, and techniques used in performing a full-mouth radiologic exam. To become fully certified, students must also pass the Oregon Clinical Radiologic Proficiency Exam.Prerequisites: DA101, DA101A/B, and DA202 or department approval. Offered winter term.

Radiology Lab

Prepares students for the Oregon Clinical Radiologic Proficiency Exam. One of two exams required for a certificate in radiologic proficiency from the state of Oregon, it is required to legally expose radiographs. To become fully certified, students must also pass the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) Exam. The course will also include an overview of taking digital X-rays.Prerequisite: DA102, DA102A/B, DA104, DA150 and DA201. Offered spring term.

Infection Control

Prepares students for the Dental Assisting National Board’s (DANB) Infection Control Exam (ICE). The class is designed to prepare students for the following sections: patient and dental healthcare worker education, standard/universal precautions and prevention of disease transmission, prevention of cross contamination, maintaining aseptic conditions, performing sterilization procedures, environmental asepsis, and occupational safety.Corequisites: DA101 and DA101A/B or department approval. Offered fall term.

Expanded Functions Dental Assistant

Prepares students for the Oregon Board of Dentistry’s written exam in expanded functions for chair-side dental assistants (EFDA). Expanded functions are determined by the Oregon Board of Dentistry and may change without prior notice. The exam is administered by the Dental Assisting National Board. Students will still need a licensed dentist endorsement before becoming EFDA certified (General Dental Assisting EFDA Certification: Pathway III). The class is designed to prepare students for the following sections: placing matrix bands, polishing amalgam fillings, cement removal, taking impressions, coronal polishing, fabricating temporary crowns, and tooth whitening.Prerequisites: DA105, DA106, DA152, DA201A/B and DA203. Offered summer term.

Expanded Functions Dental Assistant Lab

Provides hands-on, clinical instruction of the lecture material presented in DA204. This class prepares students for the clinical skills required for an expanded functions dental assistant (EFDA). Expanded functions are determined by the Oregon Board of Dentistry and may change without prior notice. To be EFDA certified in Oregon, dental assistants must successfully complete all of the requirements in one of four pathways administered by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). RCC students currently follow Pathway III that requires students to: 1) have an Oregon Radiologic Proficiency Certificate; 2) pass the Oregon Basic Dental Assisting Exam (ORB); 3) pass the Oregon Expanded Functions – General Dental Assisting Exam (ORXG); and 4) provide certification from a licensed dentist stating that the applicant has completed clinical requirements.Prerequisites: DA105, DA106, DA152, DA201A/B and DA203.Corequisites: DA153, DA204, and successful completion of all courses in the first three terms of the cohort. Offered summer term.